MSBA ok's funds for Mulready roof replacement in Hudson

Saturday

Jun 14, 2014 at 12:06 AM

By Jeff MalachowskiDaily News Staff

HUDSON – The third time was the charm for the Mulready Elementary School roof replacement, as the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) approved funding a portion of the project after rejecting two previous requests.Citing a large number of applications for funding, the MSBA denied the district’s requests to fund a portion of the roof replacement at Mulready in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, more than 115 school districts across the state sought money for 201 different projects, according to the MSBA.Despite being denied twice, school officials made another pitch for funds in the winter and recently learned the MSBA endorsed their request, said Len Belli, facilities director."It is very gratifying that in the eyes of the MSBA the school has been well maintained enough over the years to qualify for their consideration," said Belli. "This will be a big step to securing the functional future of this facility for years to come."An estimate three years ago determined the cost to replace the roof would be about $770,000, however, that estimate did not include the designer and owners project manager fees, which the MSBA requires as part of their funding, said Belli."The project cost is yet to be determined," he said.Belli is unsure how much the MSBA will kick in for the project. District officials had previously hoped to receive about half of the cost of the roof replacement from the MSBA with the remainder being raised at a future Town Meeting.During the next few weeks, Belli will request the School Committee and selectmen sign off on allowing the district to procure design services for the project.Belli hopes construction will begin next summer."I would guess that the best case scenario would be design efforts through the next school year for construction in the summer of 2015," he said.The roof was last replaced in 1988. During the past few years, contractors patched a handful of holes and cracks and repaired broken and loose flashing on the Mulready School roof, said Belli.If the district did not receive funding for the project, the town would likely have paid for the roof replacement as part of a future capital plan.Jeff Malachowski can be reached at 508-490-7466 or jmalachowski@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmalachowskiMW.